"An Attitude of Gratitude"

November 05, 2021 | By Chuck

They say attitude is everything.  There just may be some truth to that.  Our attitude affects our mood which influences the kind of day we have.  Our attitude affects the way we act and how we treat others.  We can control our attitude but there’s a tendency for our attitude to be controlled by the circumstances going on around us.  If everyone is healthy and happy and the bills are paid, our attitude tends to be a bit better, but if life isn’t going so well, our attitude seems to be more negative.  It’s difficult not to allow our attitude to be influenced by the things happening around us, but what if we made it a daily goal to have an attitude of gratitude. 

            The apostle Paul’s circumstances were less than desirable much of the time but he always seemed to have an attitude of gratitude.  From prison Paul writes the following phrases: “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers” (Eph. 1:16), “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you” (Phil. 1:3), “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you” (Col. 1:3).  An attitude of gratitude is when you choose to be thankful always, no matter the circumstances of your life.  Paul also wrote, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (I Thess. 5:18).  I understand life gets difficult and at times seemingly unbearable, but even in those moments we have much to be thankful for.  May we strive to have an attitude of gratitude and be a positive influence to others through that spirit of optimism.